If you need proof, visit Counterpane, the PreK-12 Montessori school she founded. Montessori schools are not unusual, but a Montessori high school is highly unusual as Maria Montessori only left instructions through the elementary grades.
And if you need even more proof, take a look at Souns, a Montessori-minded early literacy program
designed for ages 0-3.
On July 26, 2013, my daughters and I had the opportunity to visit Counterpane Montessori. Pulling in to Brenda's cottage, the girls were immediately drawn to the small stables in between the cottage and the school nestled in some woods. In the stables were a few pigs, donkeys, sheep and horses living in perfect harmony.
Just across the way were chickens roaming the street before being tucked into a coop at night. My children were elated to discover a freshly lain egg around noon on the second day.
Discovery and exploration led the way inside the brick and mortar walls of Counterpane.
Logical reasoning is honored and concentration is practiced.
Fundamental mathematical principles are taught in concrete ways.
Abstract detours to understanding were not found in the primary classroom.
The school day for the primary students began with weeding a garden and sorting seeds.
Science is at hand at Counterpane.
Science is at hand at Counterpane.
Human needs are validated evidenced by a mobile explaining the abstract concept in a concrete way.
Grey matter about the world is revered and the subject of geography was taught. Older children explored it in the abstract in two dimensions while younger children used the older children's knowledge as an aid in constructing their understanding.
Art is the heart of Counterpane, just as it is the lifeline of its founder, fine artist Brenda Erickson.
The art room is just off to stage left and even includes wool from the sheep in the stable sheered, dyed and woven.
So how does the Montessori method extend into high school? Is it a constructivist free for all?
No.
It is a structured, focused learning environment and the atmosphere is collegiate.
I jumped in on a tour intended for interested parents and listened as the teacher explained how students had coursework mirroring a traditional high school student. For example, a student was expected to study Algebra for five hours a week but had choice as to when to make that happen. So if said student was doing work and found it difficult to focus, she could take a break and step outside the glass doors to play guitar for a while before returning to work. Some students may complete the expectations of a high school diploma in three and a half years. Others may take five years. It depended entirely upon the choices made by the high school student and the intention was to prepare said student for success in college.
Mastery is required of all content and failing a class before moving along is not allowed.
Interests led the way as a student made decisions of what course of study to focus on from one moment to another. Reading and writing about specific interests is encouraged as well.
However, much to my surprise, interests did not dictate content.
However, much to my surprise, interests did not dictate content.
One small group sat in a circle reading a shared novel with a teacher. On the other side of the room a small group worked with another teacher on math. It was quite traditional in content but exceptional in timing. Students move along at an individualized pace, not one predetermined for them by a grade level that they happened to fall into. It is as if every child in the building has an Individualized Education Plan.
Teachers were very much instrumental to every classroom I observed, but the students were the musicians.
While at Counterpane,I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a few revolutionaries in the field. Cap Lee came with Luz to learn Souns for her village school in Columbia. Angela Dye attended to further her professional development and networking and she is a trailblazer for project-based learning in the area. Cap, Luz and Angela are each every much the edmover Brenda Erickson is, and I'm honored to know all of them.
